Mayor, Town Council Sworn In for New Terms

January 3, 2018, 8:21 pm

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Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli and five Town Council members were sworn in for new four-year terms on Tuesday evening.

Gonnelli ran unopposed in November’s election and easily secured his third term as mayor.

First Ward Councilmen Robert Costantino and John Gerbasio, Second Ward Councilman Mark Dehnert and Third Ward Councilman William McKeever were also sworn in after getting handily reelected.

Third Ward Councilwoman Orietta Tringali was sworn in for her first term as a replacement for Councilwoman Susan Pirro, who recently resigned her seat as she fights breast cancer.

 

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Secaucus Will Allow Non-Citizens as Firefighters

January 16, 2018, 9:35 pm

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The Secaucus Volunteer Fire Department will now allow members who are not United States citizens after a Town Council meeting on January 9.

The decision was the result of a 2017 search for new firefighters that led to applicants that were not United States citizens but were in the country legally. The town had an old law that required firefighters to be U.S. citizens but the Town Council drew up an ordinance to change the law.

However, that move led some local firefighters to show up at the December 20 meeting and complain that only citizens should be allowed within the department.

At the first Town Council meeting of 2018, Deputy Chief Carl Leppin and Chief Joseph Schoendorf spoke in favor of the ordinance and said the department is not aligned with those who complained at the December meeting.

The Town Council changed the law to adhere to current state and federal laws.

New Jersey Senators Slam Channel 9

January 29, 2018, 12:04 am

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New Jersey Senators Robert Menendez and Cory Booker have slammed Secaucus-based Channel 9 for failing to honor their federal mandate.

According to Federal Communications Commission rules, the station is bound to meet the special needs of its community and northern New Jersey. The senators are urging the FCC to hold the station accountable during its license renewal process.

Channel 9 moved to Secaucus from New York in 1983 and has since been home to various TV shows, including an evening news program, under various owners.  The newscast was cancelled in the summer of 2013 and has been replaced by the controversial Chasing News tabloid news show.

Prieto Stepping Down from New Jersey Assembly

February 19, 2018, 8:43 pm

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Assemblyman Vincent Prieto of Secaucus is stepping down from his seat in the New Jersey legislature to be the President and CEO of the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority.

The appointment was recommended by Governor Phil Murphy and approved by the NJSEA Board of Commissioners last week. Prieto will also step down from his role in the Secaucus construction department for the new position, which pays an annual salary of $280,000.

As President and CEO Prieto will oversee the continued development of the American Dream complex and an upcoming bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Prieto was elected to the Assembly in 2004 and served as speaker from 2014 until 2018.

Secaucus Reacts to Loss of Councilwoman Susan Pirro

March 19, 2018, 7:24 pm

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Former Secaucus Councilwoman Susan Pirro passed away on Sunday, prompting an outpouring of sorrow from town residents.

Pirro, 62, stepped down from her seat on the Town Council in December as she continued to battle cancer. She was originally diagnosed in November of 2016 and returned to the Council in 2017, but was forced to take a leave of absence in October after the cancer had returned.

The Harmon Cove resident was first elected to the Town Council in 2011 and had previously been president of the Board of Education and PTA president. She played a key role in the town’s recreation programs and volunteered for the Secaucus Citizens Animal Care Committee and Secaucus Municipal Youth Alliance.

Pirro is survived by three daughters. Visitation hours will be held at Mack Memorial Home on Thursday, March 22 from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The town issued the following statement about Pirro’s death on Monday morning:

It is with great sadness that Mayor Michael J. Gonnelli learned of the passing of former Councilwoman Susan Pirro yesterday. Susan succumbed to a hard fought battle with cancer. “It was Susan’s nature to fight hard no matter what the cause, and she approached her battle with cancer the same way,” stated Mayor Gonnelli.

Susan Pirro was elected Councilwoman in 2011, running under Mayor Gonnelli’s “Take Back Secaucus” committee. She remained a Councilwoman until December 31, 2017, when she resigned so she could concentrate all of her efforts on her health. Susan was the Council liaison to the Town’s OEM and Secaucus Animal Shelter. She spent a great deal of time volunteering at the Shelter and had a great love for animals. Susan also served as member of the Board of Education for six (6) years, and volunteered her time to many organizations.

Mayor Gonnelli stated “Susan was a staunch advocate for the people of Secaucus and put all of her effort into everything she did. She was a dedicated Councilwoman, loving mother to her children, Christie, Lauren and Cheryl, and a dear friend. Susan’s passing is a great loss for the Town, however, her influence in bringing about change to Secaucus will be felt for many years to come. She was a truly special person.”

Secaucus Businessman is First Dominican in NJ Legislature

April 17, 2018, 9:14 pm

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Secaucus business owner Pedro Mejia became the first Dominican to serve in the New Jersey Legislature when he was sworn in last week as assemblyman for the 32nd District.

Mejia replace form Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto, also from Secaucus. Prieto left the post in February to become head of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.

The 47-year-old Mejia is the owner of Mejia Corporation, which helps to maintain residential properties in the state. He has never held an elected position

Mejia said :

“It is a tremendous honor to join the New Jersey General Assembly and to represent the residents of District 32 in Trenton. I am ready to get to work addressing the issues important to our communities and to the state. I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to improve the lives of New Jersey residents.”

Mejia will hold the seat until a special election is held in November.

In addition to Secaucus, the 32nd District is comprised of East Newark, Edgewater, Fairview, Guttenberg, Harrison, Kearny, North Bergen and West New York.

Secaucus Election Day Primer

November 4, 2018, 10:33 pm

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Secaucus voters will be able to choose a United States Senator and Representative on Tuesday but the choice with the biggest local impact may be the on the Board of Education.

There are six candidates, including three incumbents, competing for a spot on the board, which is still dealing with the transferring of former Secaucus High School principal Dr. Robert Berckes due to his handling of a drug violation by a student. The board has brought tenure charges against Berckes, who has counterattacked with a $5 million lawsuit.

As arbitrator is expected to issue a ruling on the tenure charges within a few months.

Norma Hanley, Louis Giele and Joan Cali are defending their seats on the board from challengers Barbara Strobert, Mary Eccles and Enrico Bolognino. Details on each candidate were given by The Jersey Journal last week.

In addition to the local iterests, Secaucus voters will also be choosing between incumbent Democract Bob Menendez and Republican challenger Bob Hugin for one of New Jersey’s United States Senate seats. Democrat Bill Pascrell is looking to defend his seat in the United States House of Representatives from Republican Eric Fisher.

Both Menendez and Pascrell are expected to win.

Election Day is Today

November 6, 2018, 12:53 am

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Just a reminder that Election Day is today so be sure to vote.

If you need any information on where to vote or who is on the ballot be sure to check out an information site such as Ballotpedia.

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Secaucus 2018 Election Results

November 7, 2018, 12:01 am

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Secaucus elected two new members to the Board of Education on Election Day on Tuesday.

There were six candidates vying for three seats on the Board of Education, but Joan Cali was the only incumbent that managed to hold her seat with 20 percent of the vote. Barbara Strobert led the voting with 20.8 percent of the vote and fellow newcomer Mary Eccles nabbed 17.3 percent of the vote.

Incumbents Louis Giele and Norma Hanley were defeated along with challenger Enrico Bolognino. A total of 8,911 vote were cast for the Board of Education in Secaucus.

In other local races, Democrat Bill Pascrell remained Secaucus’ congressman in the House of Representatives with 70 percent of the vote.

In the biggest statewide race, Democrat Bob Menendez defeated Republican Bob Hugin with 53 percent of the vote.

Gonnelli Expresses Concerns to American Dream Owner

July 19, 2019, 12:36 am

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Both News 12 New Jersey and Patch reported that Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli met with one of the owners of the American Dream complex about his concerns regarding the project’s opening.

American Dream is set to open in late October, but Gonnelli has been openly critical recently about the potential traffic and congestion issues that will arise. Legal action was being considered by the town, but Gonnelli indicated that he had a “positive” meeting with the owner of the development on Tuesday.

Gonnelli met with Raphael Ghermezian – a principal at Triple Five Group and told Secaucus Patch:

“The meeting was overall very good. He was very open and forthcoming and respectful, and I was very respectful. He was very sincere in what he was telling me, which is not how other interactions I’ve had (with that company) have gone.”

Canada-based Triple Five bought the retail megamall in 2011 and have struggled to get the project back on track, finally targeting a 2019 opening that has been pushed back at least twice.

The 93-acre complex will feature an enormous number of retailers, restaurants and entertainment outlets, including a theme park, indoor ski park, Ferris wheel and aquarium.